Reviews Archives – Ham Radio Prep Ham Radio Online License Class Thu, 17 Apr 2025 12:40:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://hamradioprep.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/favicon-150x150.png Reviews Archives – Ham Radio Prep 32 32 Choosing Your First Morse Code Key: A CW Beginner’s Guide to Begali Keys https://hamradioprep.com/begali-morse-code-keys-guide/ Mon, 14 Apr 2025 13:09:54 +0000 https://hamradioprep.com/?p=35636 Learning CW (Morse code) is an exciting milestone in any ham radio journey—and for many, it starts with one simple but important question: Should I get a straight key or a paddle? In this guide, based on our visit to the Begali booth at a recent hamfest, we’ll walk you through the basics of CW […]

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]]> Learning CW (Morse code) is an exciting milestone in any ham radio journey—and for many, it starts with one simple but important question: Should I get a straight key or a paddle? In this guide, based on our visit to the Begali booth at a recent hamfest, we’ll walk you through the basics of CW key types, the differences between straight keys and paddles, and what to look for when choosing your first key.

Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading to something elegant and precise, Begali Keys might just have the perfect fit for you.

Why Morse Code Key Choice Matters

When you’re first getting into CW, having the right equipment is essential—not just for performance but also for motivation. A well-built key can make practice more enjoyable and help you learn with better accuracy.

Straight Key vs. Paddle

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=78VXLVZckIQ&t=423s

The first decision is choosing between:

  • Straight Keys: Great for beginners learning timing and spacing manually.

  • Paddles: Often preferred for speed and ease, especially when paired with an electronic keyer.

Many clubs recommend starting with a straight key to learn the fundamentals. However, if you’re aiming for faster proficiency, a paddle might be a better long-term investment.

Exploring Begali’s Morse Code Keys

Different Type of Begali Keys at HamCation 2024

Begali, a renowned Italian manufacturer, crafts some of the most elegant and high-performance CW keys on the market. Here’s what we discovered at their booth:

1. Types of Straight Keys

Begali offers several types of straight keys, each with a unique mechanism:

  • Spring Mechanism: Classic design with good tactile feedback.

  • Blade Mechanism: Offers a very smooth and precise action.

  • Magnet-Controlled Mechanism: Adjustable tension for personalized control and reduced fatigue.

All are engineered for long-term use and durability, with models weighing up to 2 kilograms for solid, non-slip operation.

2. Convertible Paddles: Mono & Dual

For those ready to dive into paddles, Begali offers:

  • Mono Lever Models: A single movement paddle—simple and effective.

  • Dual Lever Paddles: Allow for squeeze keying, enabling faster CW and better rhythm.

You can even find hybrid models that convert between single and dual lever styles—like the Janus, named after the Roman god with two faces, perfect for versatility.

Performance Meets Art: The Look and Feel of a Begali Key

What makes Begali stand out isn’t just performance—it’s also style and craftsmanship.

  • Sakote Finish: A ceramic coating used by firearms manufacturers, this finish resists fingerprints and feels velvet-smooth.

  • Solid Gold Contacts: Available for superior conductivity and premium feel.

  • Custom Engravings: Add your callsign or logo to personalize your key.

  • Unique Textures: From polished brass to marbled designs, no two keys look exactly alike.

As one of our team said in the video, “When you think of beautiful Morse code keys, you think of Begali.”

Our Top Pick for Beginners

After exploring the full range, we settled on the Begali Simplex Pro, a spring-return paddle with a white and gold finish—elegant, durable, and designed to last a lifetime.

Begali Keys Simplex Pro Blue with SGC

Why we chose it:

  • Lightweight and portable (about 2.5 lbs)

  • Easy to maintain and adjust

  • Available with multiple finger piece options (solid, perforated, red, black, etc.)

  • Affordable at around $220 with included dust cover

It’s a fantastic all-purpose key for home use, portable ops like POTA, and long-term learning.

Final Tips for Choosing Your First CW Key

  1. Decide based on your goals: Learning fundamentals? Go for a straight key. Want to progress quickly? Try a paddle.

  2. Think about where you’ll operate: Portable ops? Look for lightweight, detachable models.

  3. Choose quality: A well-built key not only performs better—it holds its value and makes learning enjoyable.

  4. Don’t overlook the extras: Dust covers, finger pieces, finishes—they all matter.

Special thanks to Bruna and the Begali team for their time and expertise. Whether you’re buying your first key or adding to your collection, Begali Keys are truly a work of art.

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]]> Top 5 HF Ham Radio Antennas for Beginners https://hamradioprep.com/hf-ham-radio-antennas/ Sun, 24 Dec 2023 06:10:25 +0000 https://hamradioprep.com/hf-ham-radio-antennas/ You don’t have to spend a zillion dollars on your first antenna to get great performance with your new HF station. Sure, a stacked Yagi with a 200 foot tower would be nice, but it’s not where you want to start. Let’s cover the top 5 HF Radio Antennas for new hams, coming up. Top HF […]

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]]>

You don’t have to spend a zillion dollars on your first antenna to get great performance with your new HF station.

Sure, a stacked Yagi with a 200 foot tower would be nice, but it’s not where you want to start.

Let’s cover the top 5 HF Radio Antennas for new hams, coming up.

Top HF Ham Radio Antennas

Let’s not minimize the importance of a good antenna. Your incoming and outgoing signals depend on it.

As a new ham you’re going to have to deal with lots of trade offs as you decide on an HF antenna. Money, available space, bands you want to use are big factors in choosing an HF antenna. Let’s go through 5 HF antennas you might consider for your first HF station.

Don’t just stop this video when you find an antenna you like. Later we’ll tell you about tools to get your antennas optimized. We’ve also got a few ideas for antennas you can grow into, and a couple that will work in a pinch.

Interested in microphones for your HF station? Watch this video!

1. End Fed Non Resonant

Our first pick is the non-resonant end fed antenna.  This antenna is great because it’s affordable and easy to install – all you need is a tree and some space!

non-resonant end fed antenna

Also called the End Fed Long Wire, it’s a cable attached to a 9:1 balun that will use part of the feedline coax to radiate.  If you don’t know the term balun, it stands for “balanced to unbalanced” and is where the coax (unbalanced line) is matched to the antenna.

Since the End Fed Half Wave is a “long wire” there is no need to do much analysis or “tuning” to make it work.  Just connect up the distant end of the antenna in a tree and the balun end near your operating position.  Connect the antenna to the feedline, connect that to your radio’s tuner, and you are good to get on the air.  That’s why we chose it in our HF Masterclass, our online class that teaches you how to get on HF step by step.

As we mentioned in the beginning, one of the things you will need to manage with all the antennas we discuss is length.  An 80 meter End Fed Half Wave antenna is about 135 feet long, and usually covers many bands between 80 and 6 meters.   A 40 to 6 meter version will be about 70 feet.  Check your available space and then match that to the product information before you buy.

How much will you spend? We’ve seen End Fed Half Wave antennas cost anywhere from $90-200 depending on the parts it comes with and if it’s single or multi-band.

When choosing an end fed half wave, watch the power rating for the antenna so you don’t deliver too much power and damage your equipment.  Some companies make lightweight QRP versions that only support 20 watts.  Others might support up to a kilowatt maximum if they are made with more robust parts.

If this is going to be your first antenna, and it’s a good choice for one, it’s probably better to buy new than try and build and adjust.  That way you can isolate problems to the operator instead of the gear.

Plus, you can always use your end-fed wire antenna as a portable option down the road even if you upgrade your home antenna.

2. Wire Dipole

How to build a dipole antenna for Ham Radio!

Building your own Antenna is made simple when you follow along with Jim; and can be done with very easy to find materials!

If you polled 100 hams using HF today, I’ll bet a majority will tell you that a wire dipole was their first HF antenna.  It’s simple to build and use.  Many of the principles you have or will study in the General license course focus on the dipole.

Wire Dipole Antenna with Balun

So what is a dipole?  It’s two (di) wires (poles) connected in the middle. When matched well, it operates nicely with a 50 ohms impedance.  That’s important to match most modern radios and coax.    The wires are usually one-quarter-wavelength on each side.  That makes up an antenna with a half-wavelength total.  For 20 meters that’s around 33 feet across, or 16.5 feet on each side.

So, should you build or buy your dipole?   I’ve built a dipole antenna directly into an SO-239 with no baluns, but I’ve been doing this a while.  If you want to, you can go the route we did in our HF Masterclass example.  Get some 16 gauge speaker wire, an SO-239 connector and wire them together.  We 3D printed a center element and insulators, but you can use scrap wood or plastic you have at home.  If you decide to build, consider buying a balun like this one. It will help keep current off your feedline.   We’ve seen them for $30 at Gigaparts.

Buying a dipole is not a bad investment and we saw several new ones at a hamfest.  At a cost of $60 for a single band wire dipole, you might spend more in parts to build your own.

Off Center Fed Dipole

Let’s touch on one other type of horizontal wire antenna here, which is the Off Center Fed Dipole.   This lets you have more flexibility on feed point placement.  With a dipole you are committed to being in the middle.  And an end fed has to be… well… at the end. We found the Maxcon OCF for less than $80 at a hamfest.

3. Ham sticks / Trapped Portable Dipoles

Having a half-wavelength of wire in the air for an antenna is really the best way to start. But not everyone can do this. So let’s talk about ham-sticks and trapped dipoles.    These are dipole antennas that are “electrically” long, but physically shorter.

A hamstick dipole for 80 meters might only be 20 feet or so across.  Whereas a wire dipole for 3.9 Megahertz should be around 100 feet longer.    So, how does it work?  By using coils or traps the antenna is electrically lengthened.  You can see in the design of the hamstick the wire coiled around one end of the elements.

You can get into a single band ham stick style dipole for less than $100.  That’s two sticks and the center mount where you connect your coax.  If you want a different band, swap out the sticks.

Buddipole Antenna

A similar concept is a system called the Buddiepole, which is a trapped dipole.  For less than $300 you get this very portable system.   You adjust it by changing telescopic lengths, and moving a jumper around on a trap.  By adding the right amount of length and coil in, you tune your antenna to be on frequency.    Great options for small footprint operating, or going portable.   Both of these are buy options versus something you will make at home.

4. Vertical

A vertical antenna is one where your driven element goes up instead of out.  It can definitely be a space saver and is good for many different bands.   Many hams find the 33-foot vertical to be a sweet spot for size.  That represents a quarter-wavelength of the 40 meter band.

A vertical antenna is one where your driven element goes up instead of ou

Getting a wire up and down in a tree is an easy part, but radials are an important part of this antenna’s design.   Think of a vertical as a dipole turned at 90 degrees.  When you do that you see the radials represent half of the antenna’s performance.  There are many ways to do radials. Some use wires at different wavelengths to help bring in different bands.  Some POTA hams use mesh as a broadband set of radials.

This project could be one you build or buy.  One thing you may want to invest in is the balun, which is where the coax connects to the antenna elements. DXEngineering has a nice article about selecting baluns.  It covers a variety of antenna scenarios, including a quarter-wave-vertical.

If you are buying, shop around.  Good commercial options start around $250 and go up, but there are a lot of options.  We’ve seen a version with an inflatable vertical section for easy setup and tear down if that’s important.

Like the trapped horizontal antenna, you can get a trapped vertical for portability.   We found a little telescoping antenna element with traps for around $60.

5. G5RV

How about taking some of the performance of a horizontal dipole and adding some of the space saving benefits of a vertical?   A ham named Louis Varney combined lengths of wire for a dipole with some resonant ladder line.  That created the antenna we know as a G5RV.   It’s another very popular antenna among new hams.

G5RV antenna

In its full 80-meter to 10-meter design configuration it measures about 102 feet across, and just under 30 feet high.   You can fit this in your backyard several ways.  Mount it horizontally, sloping or as an inverted V.   When paired up with a tuner you get performance on a lot of bands.

You can build it yourself from plans right on Wikipedia, but for right around $110 you can pick up a kit ready to go.   If you only have 50-ish feet available for installation, there is an alternative. The “G5RV Junior” which is a 40-10 meter option for less than $90.

Tools to help

Many times it’s not just getting an antenna installed, it’s getting it optimized.  If an antenna’s SWR or feed point impedance is off, you will lose output power.   That’s because mismatches get converted into heat instead of radio waves.    So let’s talk through a few tools that will help you build or buy the best options.

If you want to know how much space you need for an antenna, we recommend using a Dipole Calculator.  You can find them online, like this one at West Mountain Radio.   If you prefer to do the math yourself, a halfwave dipole antenna length can be roughly calculated.  Divide 468 by your desired frequency in Megahertz.   Let’s do the calculations for a 10 meter dipole at 28.400 MHz.  468/28.4 = 16.47 feet rounded.  Each element (side) would be a little less than 8-and-a-quarter feet.

We said that’s a rough calculation. Your performance will depend on height above ground and things like the velocity factor of the wire.  That’s how well the wire conducts.

One of the things I like to do when building a dipole is get a close measurement using the formula.  I leave it a little long and then adjust it as I hang it up using an antenna analyzer.

Using Antenna Analyzer

To adjust you raise the dipole up close to its operating position, then look at an analyzer. It will show you the SWR and impedance at that frequency.  Take two measurements.   One for your desired frequency and one for the “best” SWR nearby.   If that best frequency is higher than your desired resonant frequency, your wire is too short.   If the best frequency is lower, your wire is too long, and you need to trim it.    We’ve discussed this among the elmers and getting below 1.5:1 on SWR is a good sweet spot.

An antenna analyzer runs $100-300, but it is a really good long term investment for your shack.  If money is an issue, check with a local club or elmer to see if they have a loaner

Two more tools to help you out.  First, consider getting into the theory of antenna design.  Customize for things like height above ground and obstacles with modeling software.   A free program like EZNEC runs on your computer and lets you design your antenna for the performance you want.

Finally, if all this is above your head because you just don’t remember it, don’t worry.  This antenna information can be found in your General course studies.  Go back and reread it!  If you are a Ham Radio Prep student reread the General course lessons related to antennas.  Those are Lessons 20 and 21.  We also cover much more in the HF Master Class.

Aspirational Antennas

There are plenty of other antennas we didn’t cover.  We skipped a few because they go a little bit beyond beginner level.  We also passed on a few due to price or size.

Some quick notes though:

  • Most of the antennas we covered don’t offer much additional gain. Gain is amplification in a direction. For that, look into Yagi antennas. They are more complex to set up and require some way to get them pointed in the right direction. However, you get more send and receive performance for your buck. Plus adding a Yagi is much less expensive than adding an amplifier to your rig.
  • We skipped Mag Loops because of their price to performance ratio. They run about $300 for 25 watts out.  Some like them for small space performance, so consider them as an alternative to something like hamsticks.
  • Horizontal Loops are probably underrated! It’s a big project but if you can run 1 wire around your entire back yard or in your attic you have a horizontal loop antenna. The trade off is nice performance on many bands.  These loops also tend to be quieter if you have the space to trade off.

There are books written on the hundreds of different antenna styles we didn’t cover.  If you are trying to find just the right one for you, something like “Wire Antenna Classics” or the “HF Antenna Collection” might be in your club’s library to review.

Building antennas is also a great club project too.  Or research online! For instance there are lots of “cousins” of the G5RV design just a few clicks away.

Building Your Own Antenna in a Pinch

We started off by saying that good antennas are important and we’re sticking with that.  However, we also believe that any antenna is better than no antenna at all.   To that point, we want to point you to the Strange Antenna Challenge.   It’s a recurring event where people see just what they can use for antennas.

vertical antenna using a string of 40-ish Diet Soda cans
 Jim, N4BFR – Vertical Antenna using Diet Soda Cans

I participated in this with a local club and made 2 “strange” antennas. The first one was a vertical using a string of 40-ish Diet Soda cans.  I made a few contacts around the US with that.   The next year I came back with nothing but a roll of tinfoil.  Folded and connected up as an inverted V-dipole, I worked DX more than 1,000 miles away in South America.

I’ve seen others use ladders, a sign for an ATM and one club member made a pretty effective 6 meter dipole from some crutches.

6 Meter Dipole Made from Crutches
 6 Meter Dipole Made from Crutches

So, while a good antenna is important, ANY antenna may be even more important.   No matter what you use, remember to be safe with power lines and RF safety too.

Recap

Before we go, let’s review those top 5 antennas for new HF stations.

The End Fed Half Wave for 80 meters is 135 feet and needs virtually no adjusting to get it on the air.  It runs from $90 to $200.

A wire dipole is a super basic antenna that works well.  For 80 meters, you’re also going to be around 135 feet total length.  You can build or buy this one, but a packaged new single-band dipole starts at around $60.

Hamsticks or trapped dipoles can give you one band at a time in a space that’s 20-feet or so wide.   A single band hamstick rig will cost around $100.

The 33-foot vertical is another basic staple of ham radio antennas.  It’s 40-meters and higher in the basic configuration.  Good commercial options start around $250 and go up.

Finally, Mr. Varney’s G5RV will fit in a space around 100 feet wide and 30 feet high.  This compromise dipole is versatile.  You can build it from plans from Wikipedia, or buy a packaged kit starting at just over $100.

We hope you get that antenna in the air. We hope to hear you on the air with it soon!

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]]> Top 5 Crazy HF Ham Radios for Serious DX’ers https://hamradioprep.com/hf-radios-for-dxers/ Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:02:49 +0000 https://hamradioprep.com/hf-radios-for-dxers/ Once you have your ham radio license, it’s decision time and one of the most difficult ones is choosing an HF radio! Do you go with a more modest priced radio to start or jump into the deep end and get one with all the bells and whistles? At Ham Radio Prep, we say, look […]

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]]> Once you have your ham radio license, it’s decision time and one of the most difficult ones is choosing an HF radio! Do you go with a more modest priced radio to start or jump into the deep end and get one with all the bells and whistles? At Ham Radio Prep, we say, look at both!

If you’re looking for affordable, entry-level radios to start setting up a shack with, we have you covered. Be sure to go watch our “Top 5 HF Radios for beginners.”  In this video, we’ll go where the budget is no object!  Here are 5 “crazy” amazing radios you’ll aspire to if you become a serious DX contester or only buy the best of the best!

HF Radios for Serious DX’ers

Before we get started, just a reminder, these picks are our own. We have not been compensated for any of the radios we mention.

In the video where we covered the “starter HF radios” video, we maxed out spending around $1,500 on a loaded ICOM IC-705 QRP radio.   We’re back in QRP land with a radio that comes as parts if you just feel like you want to assemble the components yourself.

1. Elecraft KX-3

Elecraft KX-3 (HF Radio)

We’re talking about the Elecraft KX-3.  Elecraft is well known in the industry as one of the higher end makers of Amateur Radio Transceivers.  This is why they are one of the top choices of serious DXers.

The KX-3 Shack in a Pack comes with the parts to assemble your 160-6 meter QRP radio.  Also included is a portable panadapter for seeing your waterfall, a battery charger, some adapters and cables and a carrying case. I’ve used this radio and I have seen it nicely handle SSB, CW and Digital. It has an internal voice recorder and CW keyer.  All this for $2,874.05 with assembly required. Add in another $40 if they put it together for you. (All prices as of November, 2023)

One thing nice about this radio is the broad number of add-ons that Elecraft offers.  That includes a CW paddle that mounts to the front of the rig and a portable amplifier if you want to pump it up to 100 watts output.

2. Elecraft K4D

Elecraft K4D (HF Radio)

Let’s stay with Elecraft for our next pick, which is their top of the line desktop radio, the Elecraft K4D. A beautiful radio with plenty of front-of-the-box controls, dual waterfalls show on a 7 inch touch screen.  That’s a way of showing off their dual-receiver functionality. The 100 watt K4D is currently about $5,800.

Expandability is part of the benefit you get from choosing Elecraft and several other high-end radio systems we’ll discuss. For instance, while the K4D is designed for HF, it was designed with the ability to include a transverter.  So you can add 2 Meters or other functionality.   Elecraft also has a line of amplifiers, so easy integration of more power is another benefit.

Let’s take a look at the back to give you an idea of what a high-end radio provides for options. The K4D has HDMI video out. Just in case that 7 inch screen is not big enough for you, you can connect an external monitor to show your waterfall.  Three HF antenna inputs are available, and Antenna 4 can work with your transverter.   You can pass through a dedicated receive antenna as well.

Want to calibrate your radio to stay right on frequency? A 10 MHz “Reference In” connection lets you provide it a calibration source. Just a few of the options you will find on these high end radios.   I also like the fact that it uses PowerPole connectors for power which are becoming more and more popular.

3. Yaesu FT-DX101-MP-Max

Yaesu FT-DX101-MP-Max HF Radio

If your price range is in the range of Five to Six thousand dollars, you may also want to consider the Yaesu FT-DX101-MP-Max.   Up until now we have been limited to a top power output of 100 Watts, but the MP-Max doubles that to a 200 Watt output.  That comes with a special power supply and speaker unit, so no worries about matching there.

Like the Elecraft, this is part radio and part computer.  It can be connected to your LAN.  That allows for remote operating with additional software and an “external LAN unit.”   That means you can use your PC speaker and microphone and operate from your desk at the office if that rare DX comes online.   That’s an additional $300 or so.  Also like the Elecraft it sports a 7-inch screen on the front.  We also appreciate its  many many connections on the back for things like an amp, tuner and external display.   Gigaparts has a version of this available now.

4. Flex 6600

Flex 6600 HF Radio

If you want to go full Software Defined Radio, the top of the line in ham radio is the Flex Signature Series of units.  You can get your first Flex, the 6400 for around $2,300. However, we are looking at top of the line here, so you’ll want to consider choosing the Flex 6600. This receiver can tune 4 different bands or modes at once.  So you fire up the radio, open a window on your computer, and see where the DX is.

So that’s an important point to make. As a “software defined radio” you need computer hardware to make it work.  The re are no controls or screens on the front panel of this radio.  Just a power button.  To run this radio you need to connect the 6600 to a local area network and a decently powerful computer.

If you prefer knobs and buttons you do have options however.  Flex offers a device called the Maestro. This one is controlling the Flex radio in my shack at home. The Maestro Control Console is a front panel for your radio, with an 8 inch screen and all the knobs you want.   Connect that to WiFi and you can use your radio from your back deck or easy chair, or here in the studio.  Latency on WiFi is low enough to support doing CW with no lag.

We haven’t talked about what it might cost to get to the full legal limit of output power, so let’s add an amp to our 6600 option.  Flex offers the Power Genius XL to take you to the full legal limit of power.  That’s an investment of $7,700.  Plus an additional 15 Amp circuit in your shack to provide all the juice this amp will draw.

Flex 6600 with on-board GPS Disciplined Oscillator

Additional options for the 6600 include their on-board GPS Disciplined Oscillator.  That ensures your radio is right on frequency every time, for  an additional $750.  You can also get handles or rack mounts for your Flex.

Full disclosure, our instructor Jim, N4BFR, has been a Flex user for years.  First with a 6500 and now with a used 6700. He mostly operates with computer controls and the little jogwheel accessory they sell. He likes that all the connections are made in the back of the radio so he can keep the front area looking clean.

We’re sorry to hear that Flex has stopped production on its 6700, which had 8 independent receivers.   If that interests you, Flex occasionally has refurbished units available via their website.

So a new Flex 6600 with Power Genius amplifier would cost you around $12,300.  But that’s not the ultimate radio.

5. ICOM IC-7851

We give you the ICOM IC-7851.

ICOM IC-7851

For $13,299.95 you get this 200 watt native output monster of a radio. I counted 17 knobs and more than 70 buttons on the front of the 7851 so the right setting is always at your fingertips.   The design gives you the best of both worlds.  The 7851 has both Direct Digital Sampling and IC conversion with a local oscillator.  Three digital signal processors are there to handle the load.

Need a fast spectrum scope while hunting your DX?  You can see a megahertz wide swaths of spectrum at a 1 pixel resolution on its big LCD screen, or add an external monitor.   That GPS option we talked about with the Elecraft and Flex?  That’s built into the 7851.

What’s on the back?  6 antenna ports.  Four for receive / transmit and two for receive only.  Think about that.  If you are mostly on 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters you can have an antenna cut to each band, and just switch in the radio!   Of course it has USB audio connectivity and an ethernet port.  With ICOM’s remote software, you can be anywhere around the world on the internet and work DX from your shack.

The ICOM IC-7851 plugs directly into AC power, so just think of all the money you’ll save on a power supply! (Kidding!)

When to Consider High-End Radios?

So, who’s the market for these high end radios? Lots of serious DX’ers are buyers of these radios. Look at news of DXpeditions and see what they take with them. Many of them are setting up with a Flex or an Elecraft because of their quality receivers and consistent performance. For instance, the October 2023 W8S trip to Swains Island had both models on the journey.

When should you consider radios on this list? If you are investing in a long term shack with multiple antennas is a good start. Those with high DX and contesting ambitions will also probably be interested in shopping for these rigs.

Recap

So let’s recap these 5 “crazy extreme” radios that may not be as crazy as you thought.

  • Elecraft KX-3  QRP
  • Elecraft K4D – 100 Watt HF
  • Flex Radio 6600 –  100 Watt HF transiter with Maestro and Power Genius XL Amp
  • Yaesu  FT-DX101-MP-Max – 200 Watt HF
  • ICOM IC-7851 – 200 Watt HF

If you are not quite ready to take out a second mortgage to pick up a radio, check out our companion video.  It’s called “5 HF Ham Radios for beginners!”

73 for now and happy shopping!

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]]> Best Ham Radio Microphones for HF Stations https://hamradioprep.com/best-ham-radio-microphones/ Wed, 06 Dec 2023 14:00:18 +0000 https://hamradioprep.com/best-ham-radio-microphones/ Upgrading your microphone is a great way to improve your operation without breaking the bank! Here is a list of the best ham radio microphones for your HF station. In this guide, Professor Jim N4BFR will teach you how to pick the right microphone and upgrade your shack. There’s a quote from a famous ham […]

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]]> Upgrading your microphone is a great way to improve your operation without breaking the bank! Here is a list of the best ham radio microphones for your HF station.

In this guide, Professor Jim N4BFR will teach you how to pick the right microphone and upgrade your shack.

There’s a quote from a famous ham radio audio engineer about microphones I like. Let me paraphrase. “The color is the only thing that matches the stock mic to the radio it comes with.”

Let’s take a look at adding a new microphone to your shack.

Choosing the Right Microphone

We’re going to start by upgrading the mic for the ICOM IC-7300 we used in our HF Masterclass. Once we do that, we’ll cover some other options you have to interface a mic to your ham radio.

By the way, none of our recommendations in this guide are sponsored. We’re just showing what we like and use.

Most modern HF radios from Flex, Kenwood, Yaesu or Elecraft can take a “standard” dynamic microphone.  There are a lot of options in that universe, and we’ll show you some of those in a few minutes.

If you do decide to go with a mic that doesn’t come from your radio manufacturer, we’re going to point you to the folks at Heil Ham Radio. They have a nice finder tool as well as charts to help you pair up the right mic and adapter with your radio.

Best Ham Radio Microphones: Expert Recommendations

As we mentioned earlier, a dynamic microphone works on many other brands of radio. We tried them on Yaesu, Flex and Elecraft just to name a few.

Let’s look at a few, starting with some of the options.

1. Heil “iCM” mic

iCM20 Microphone

In choosing a mic for our ICOM radio, we needed one with a condenser element. The radio does not handle the input from a dynamic microphone well.

We went with the Heil “iCM” mic from Heil Ham Radio. You can buy directly from Heil or from other ham stores. We picked ours up at Gigaparts.

2. Astatic D-104

Astatic D-104 Microphone

If you are longing for the CB days, you might want to find an Astatic D-104.  This is the basic model that I found for $40 at a hamfest.   Now, you will need to do some wiring to make it ready for your rig.  But, doesn’t it bring back some memories of listening to Bandit and Snow Man, if you are of a certain age.

3. Shure 55SH

Shure 55SH Microphone

Most classic mics and podcast mics like this Shure 55SH usually have a 3-pin or 4-pin connection called an XLR.  A mic with a 4-pin XLR will typically have a push to talk somewhere on the mic or base.

Once you can get the audio out via XLR, you’ll need to look at your radio to see what the input style is. For instance on a Flex you can use an  8-pin style connection on the front, or an XLR connector on the back.

On a Yaesu radio, many of the modern ones use a jack that is shaped like an Ethernet Cable called RJ45. Kenwood and Elecraft use a different 8 Pin adapter.

4. Kenwood MC-90

Kenwood MC-90 DSP-compatible Desk Microphone

Again, if you are brand loyal, Kenwood and Yaesu both have options in their respective groups.  If you can find the Kenwood MC-90 you will pay around $325.

5. Yaesu’s M-90D

Yaesu M-90D Microphone

Yaesu’s M-90D mic looks nice on a desk and comes in around $200.  A positive is that they come with connectors that fit your radio, but a downside we see is that they are not designed to be mounted on a boom stand.

Extra Important Gear to Pick Up

Good news for us is that because it’s radio specific, the iCM comes with an 8-foot cable attached. That cable interfaces right to the front port on the radio. It also has a “Push to Talk” button right on the body.

We’re going for maximum hands-free flexibility when we are operating.  That allows us to type in our World Radio League logbook or look up DX spots while we operate.  So we’ll add two more pieces of gear to our shopping list.

Foot Pedal for Push-to-Talk

We like to have a foot pedal for a push-to-talk switch. We picked up the Heil version, but there are others around.   I have 2 radios at home, so I use an old dictaphone style foot pedal with two buttons.  If you don’t want to add wires, you could also use the VOX function of your radio.

Desktop Mic Stand

Finally, we like lots of clear desktop space, but we’re not ready to permanently attach anything to our desk.  So instead of a broadcast-style boom for our mic, we picked up a desktop mic stand.  It’s designed to sit on the corner of the desk.

Budget for the Heil Mic and foot pedal at Gigaparts and the stand on Amazon came in at less than $185.  Let’s go ahead and set everything up.

How to Setup Your Ham Radio Microphone

Step 1

Power down your current radio and disconnect the mic.  Put it away in case you want to take your radio on the road for portable activation.  It could live in your go-bag now.

Step 2

Set up the mic stand first.  It comes in a few parts that generally screw together.   Don’t put the clip that holds the mic on yet.

Step 3

Let’s get the microphone out. It comes with a clip that should fit on the mic stand, or you can use the one that comes with the stand. Either way when you mount the mic you want to make sure the PTT button is not accidentally depressed in the clip.

I like to use wire ties or velcro to attach the mic cable to the stand.  That keeps it up and out of the way, again trying to achieve maximum desk space.

Step 4

Attach the mic cable to the radio. It should only go in 1 way. Screw it down just finger tight so it doesn’t accidentally get pulled out when you are operating. We also need to attach the foot pedal and that’s straightforward. Find a spot under the desk that’s comfortable for placement. Then run the cable back up and plug it in to the ¼ inch jack on the ICOM cable.

Step 5

You should be ready to go.  On our ICOM we can use the Voice TX Recorder under “Menu – Voice” to record a clip and see how we sound.  Adjust the mic gain if you want louder or softer.

If you don’t have that option, try testing with a WebSDR to listen to yourself over the air.   We go through that process in the HF Master Class.

Before we go on to other radio brands, two more things about ICOM.  First, this setup should work with many modern ICOM HF radios.  We’ve used it on an ICOM IC-9700 system as well.  That’s  a deluxe desktop radio for VHF/UHF operating, including satellites. You can even use it with a mobile radio like the ID-5100 DStar radio if you have the right adapters.

Second, is that if you are a brand loyalist, ICOM does have two optional desktop mice you can use.  The SM-30 and SM-50 are compatible and have a PTT button on the base.  You’ll have to do extra work to add a foot pedal via the accessory port if you find that feature helpful.  An SM-30 is just a little less than our setup here, at $170 on Gigaparts.

Interested in handheld ham radios? Check out our guide on the best handheld radios!

More Microphones to Choose From

At the beginning of the video we paraphrase this quote, “The color is the only thing that matches the stock mic to the radio it comes with.”  That came from Bob Heil, K9EID.

Now just to reinforce, we promise this is not a Heil ad. However, when you have an expert in concert sound that used to do touring sound systems for folks like Joe Walsh, it’s hard not to listen.  By the way, Bob also invented Peter Frampton’s Talk Box and has exhibited at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So we are lucky to have an expert interested in ham radio sound.

If you prefer Shure, AKG or something more exotic, give them a try.  Just remember that unless you are using an ICOM rig, you want a ”dynamic” microphone.

All that said, here are a few more mics we like:

1. Heil PR-10

Heil PR-10 Microphone

The Heil PR-10 is a nice mic with really great sound, and it comes in at less than $200.   I’ve used this for some podcasting.  It comes with a stand and a push to talk button, so you just need to add the proper cabling.  If you want to go top of the line, the Heil PR-40 is your best choice.  This will run you just under $400 for a new microphone, before any other accessories.

2. PR-77D

PR-77D Microphone

Indulge me with two more fun options.   The PR-77D is a retro option that is adjustable for music or voice settings.  It looks classic and it comes in purple or black.   The stand is extra.

3. Shure MV7X

Shure MV7X Microphone

The Shure MV7X seems to be another great option for a shack, with a price point below $200.  Designed for voice response, it will mount on a boom or a desktop stand and has an XLR output.   We haven’t tested it, so if you do pick one up let us know how it works.  We like that Shure’s support site is active with discussions on connecting other versions of their mics to ham radios.

4. Heil Classic 5

Heil Classic 5

Finally, this one was a bit of a holy grail for me.  I love the look of ribbon microphones so I found this discontinued Heil Classic 5.  To me, it looks like the microphone some crooner would use while broadcasting on the NBC Red Network back in the 1930’s.    I found it used and was able to customize my call with a 3D printer and some silver paint.   A fun project for sure.

Wrapping Up

There are good reasons to get away from the stock mic on your radio. Maybe you want to go hands-free, or just want to add some flair.

Here are the 4 things to remember:

  • Match your mic to your radio. Icom uses special mics with condenser elements while many others use dynamic mics.
  • Get your cabling together, including an adapter if needed.
  • Buy or make a foot pedal or some other push to talk device, or just use VOX if you want to do it all with your voice.
  • Think about how you want to use your desktop space when it comes to stands.  If you want something close up, you can find some nice ones with integrated push to talk buttons.   You can also mount a boom to your desk and be able to push it away when not in use.

We’re with Bob Heil, you can do better than the stock microphone that comes with your radio. Take a look around at the options and find something that fits your style, shack, and budget.

Finally,  it’s the time of year when people ask about gift lists.  Someone might enjoy getting you something flashy for your shack! Feel free to forward this guide with our suggestions.

From all of us here at Ham Radio Prep, 73 and we hope to hear you on the air soon.

The post Best Ham Radio Microphones for HF Stations appeared first on Ham Radio Prep.

]]> Top 5 HF Ham Radios for Beginners https://hamradioprep.com/hf-ham-radios-for-beginners/ Tue, 21 Nov 2023 17:30:21 +0000 https://hamradioprep.com/?p=29230 Once you have your ham radio license it’s decision time, and one of the most difficult ones is choosing an HF radio! Do you go with a more modest priced radio to start or jump into the deep end and get one with all the bells and whistles? At Ham Radio Prep, we say, look […]

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]]> Once you have your ham radio license it’s decision time, and one of the most difficult ones is choosing an HF radio! Do you go with a more modest priced radio to start or jump into the deep end and get one with all the bells and whistles? At Ham Radio Prep, we say, look at both!

A question we get from our Ham Radio Prep students is, “I’m getting started in HF, what radio should I start with?”  We’ve got 5 radios you should consider for your first HF rig. If you’re feeling more adventurous, make sure to check out our “5 Awesome HF Radios the DX’ers Love!” video linked in the description!

Top 5 HF Ham Radios

Our instructors and team of experts picked radios these with no sponsorship support. This isn’t an ad, just thoughts on what we think might work best for you.

ICOM IC-7300

Let’s start off with the ICOM IC-7300. This is the radio we picked for our HF Masterclass, and with continued use, we have enjoyed this rig. For right about $1,000 you get 100 watts of HF output power in a direct sampling HF radio. Its internal tuner matches our antenna well. Plus, it has plenty of settings to adjust via front panel controls.

We’ve used the 7300 in the shack, taken it to parks and even upgraded it with a desktop microphone. It has fun features like a voice recorder standard. That’s something that cost hundreds of dollars for more advanced radios just a few years ago. It’s done everything we have wanted it to do so far. We’re looking forward to setting it up for Digital soon and connecting up a key to do some CW.

If there’s one concern for some hams it’s that the ICOM is ONLY an HF radio.

Available Now at GigaParts!

Yaesu FT-991A

If you are looking to set up a flexible shack with just one radio, we think you should consider the Yaesu FT-991A. This one made the list as one of our Ham Radio Prep student alumni choices. Yaesu calls this an “All Band” system that does 100 watts on HF and 50 watts on 2 Meters and 70 Centimeters. That’s a great option to build a shack around.  Our instructor Jim, N4BFR took the same tactic as a new ham.  He started his shack with a Yaesu all-mode FT-897.   That provided a versatility of things he could do, even with just a Technician license.

Waterfalls are becoming standard on radios, and the 3.5” version on the Yaesu is about an inch smaller than the ICOM. They both have USB connectivity for computer logging and working digital modes. The Yaesu is about a half-inch shorter than the ICOM, so it might fit better in a go-kit. However, it does draw 23 amps at peak instead of 21 for the 7300, so there are tradeoffs. This also has a built-in tuner, but that’s only for the HF input.  If you are looking for all-mode in an ICOM radio, they just rereleased the IC-7100.

Available Now at GigaParts!

RADIODDITY QT60

With the solar cycle near peak, even Technician level hams can get in on the HF fun. You will need a radio to do that and one of our instructors suggested the RADIODDITY QT60. This entry level option is $260 and is no frills. It will pump out 60 watts of 10 Meter HF Sideband power with a 10 amp draw. There are just 4 connections on the back. Those are an antenna jack, a port for programming memories, and two speaker jacks. If you want antenna matching, you’ll need to add a tuner.

The QT60 is not set up for digital or CW. But, a motivated ham might be able to wire up some digital inputs via the mic connector and VOX options. It does have FM functionality, so you could work some 10 meter repeaters with it as well. If those things interest you, consider the Radioddity.

QRP Options

Xiegu G90

In general, our reviews and courses haven’t spent a lot of time on QRP operating, but it’s a big part of the hobby. If you are into small footprint CW for example, there is a whole world of little radios you can add to your collection. For this list we’re going to pick two that can get you started on QRP. If you don’t know, operating QRP means sending with minimal power. These are for folks who “care enough to send the very least.”

We looked at a couple of options and landed on the Xiegu G90 Transceiver. Weighing in at 3.6 pounds, this little multipurpose rig can put out up to 20 watts of power and can work Sideband, CW, AM and FM. It’s very power efficient, drawing only 6 amps at maximum transmit power.

The G90 has a built-in antenna tuner which will come in very handy when working out of your backpack. Many hams who do QRP prefer Digital or CW because of their more efficient power use than sideband. The G90 is ready for CW out of the box and has a built in keyer. For data modes you will need to pick up an add-on adapter that runs an extra $35.

One of the potential challenges we see with the G90 is managing the minor controls of the radio. Tuning and volume are fine but with a smaller screen and buttons, it might be difficult to handle in a park. Extra so when you get gloves on! Take a peek at the Xiegu X6100 if a bigger screen is important to you and you are willing to go with a max of 10 watts of power.

ICOM IC-705

The other entry-level QRP HF option we picked is the ICOM IC-705. ICOM lists this under their “Handhelds” page to reinforce its size.

There are a lot of smart designs in the IC-705. For instance, it’s labeled as a handheld because it can run off the same battery pack as its popular handheld, the ID-52. The 705 also uses the same touch screen as the IC-7300. That means it can use the same familiar menu style you are used to if you use ICOM radios. You can even download a 3D model of the radio if you want to do mods.

Let’s talk about the specs. This will let you transmit on any ham band from 160 meters up to 2 meters, and then add 70 centimeters. With broad mode support you can not only do HF but FM and DStar operations. You can run off the car or a 13.7 volt battery and get up to 10 Watts out. If you run on a handheld battery you are at a max of 5 watts. Power draw is less than 3 amps and it weighs less than 2-and-a-half pounds when powered by an HT battery.

So what’s the downside? Well, if you are passionate about operating SSB, then QRP is much more of a challenge. Plus there is the price. The ICOM IC-705 will run you about $1,350. That’s before you add the $180 travel bag, a couple of $130 spare batteries and other fun accessories along the way. Not that it’s a deal breaker, but this is the only radio of the 5 we’ve discussed that comes with a BNC connector standard. So if you are all set up to use PL-259 connectors that may mean some new cables and adapters too.

Available Now at GigaParts!

Recap

So let’s recap the 5 radios you may choose to add to your ham radio gear.

  •  ICOM ID-7300 – 100 Watts HF
  • Yaesu FT-991 – 100 Watts HF, VHF, UHF
  • Radioddity QT-60 – 60 Watts 10 Meter SSB
  • Xiegu X90 – QRP
  • ICOM IC-705 – QRP  HF, VHF, UHF

If you are ready to make a bigger investment in fun, check out our companion video “5 Awesome HF Radios the DX’ers Love!” (Coming soon)

73 for now and happy shopping!

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]]> The Best Handheld Ham Radios https://hamradioprep.com/the-best-handheld-ham-radios/ Mon, 23 Mar 2020 03:05:00 +0000 https://hamradioprep.com/?p=12938 Every ham radio operator needs a good handheld radio. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your toolkit, finding the right handheld radio can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. To help, the Ham Radio Prep team reviewed all the major models available in 2025 to bring you our picks […]

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]]>

Every ham radio operator needs a good handheld radio. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade your toolkit, finding the right handheld radio can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. To help, the Ham Radio Prep team reviewed all the major models available in 2025 to bring you our picks for the top 5 handheld ham radios this year.

We considered price, functionality, modes of operation, ease of use, and overall value when ranking these radios. Let’s dive in!

Top 5 Handheld Ham Radios in 2025

5.
Baofeng BF-F8HP Pro
4.
Yaesu FT5DR
3.
Yaesu FT-65R
2.
Anytone AT-D878UVII Plus
1.
Kenwood TH-D75A

5. Baofeng BF-F8HP Pro
Inexpensive

Estimated Price: ≈ $70

The Baofeng BF-F8HP Pro is an excellent entry-level radio with an unbeatable price point. Built on Baofeng’s popular platform, it features an upgraded 8-watt output and a full-color screen for added functionality. This radio transmits on the 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands and also doubles as a versatile receiver, picking up FM broadcast, weather services, aviation bands, and GMRS frequencies.

It’s an excellent option for beginners due to its affordability and ease of use. Even experienced hams often keep a Baofeng handy as a backup or for casual use. With this radio you can expect to work simplex contacts in the 5 mile range and hit local repeaters in town to give your signal even longer reach.

Because of their price points, the Baofengs are very popular ham radios, and it’s hard to go wrong here. Even experienced hams often have one lying around, in their truck, or a part of a go kit.

If you need to learn how to use your Baofeng, check out the Ham Radio Basics course.

Reasons to get the BF-F8HP Pro:

  • Affordable and beginner-friendly
  • Dual-band operation
  • USB-C charging
  • 8-watt output for better range
  • Excellent value for the price
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Honorable Mention: Quansheng UV-K5 For under $30, the Quansheng UV-K5 offers exceptional value for those who enjoy experimenting with their gear. While it lacks some of the refined features of higher-end models, it’s a great option for those looking to explore the hobby on a budget.

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4. Yaesu FT5DR
Reliable

Yaesu FT5DR

Estimated Price: ≈ $400

Yaesu’s FT5DR is a feature-packed handheld perfect for hams looking to explore digital modes and APRS functionality. Its rugged design includes waterproofing and a large color touchscreen, making it durable and user-friendly.

Supporting the System Fusion (C4FM) digital mode, the FT5DR is easy to set up and operate, even for those new to digital. The addition of Bluetooth, APRS, and a MicroSD slot for programming and recording makes this radio a top choice for advanced users.

Reasons to get the FT5DR:

  • System Fusion support
  • Touchscreen interface
  • Rugged and waterproof (IPX7 rating)
  • APRS functionality
  • Bluetooth capability
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Honorable Mention: Yaesu FT-70DR 

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the FT-70DR offers System Fusion support and rugged reliability for under $200.

3. Yaesu FT-65R
Rugged

Estimated Price: ≈ $110

Yaesu FT-65R

The Yaesu FT-65R stands out for its rugged design and reliability, making it a favorite for emergency communications. Its straightforward programming and strong manufacturer support make it a great choice for those prioritizing durability over advanced features.

With a cost-effective price point and excellent accessory options, the FT-65R is ideal for building a go-kit or for use in field operations. Its dependable performance and ease of use make it a must-have for emergency preparedness.

Reasons to get the FT-65R:

  • Rugged and durable design
  • Reliable performance
  • Straightforward programming
  • Affordable price point
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Honorable Mentions:

  • Yaesu FT-4XR: A smaller alternative with similar features for about $10 more.

  • ICOM IC-T10: Slightly pricier at $150 but offers similar reliability and build quality.

2. Anytone AT-D878UVII Plus
Go Digital - DMR

DMR - Anytone 878

Estimated Price: ≈ $350 (with accessories)

The Anytone AT-D878UVII Plus is a versatile handheld that excels in FM, DMR, and APRS functionality. Its large color screen and built-in GPS make it a standout for those looking for advanced features in a single device. Despite its brick-like form factor, it delivers exceptional value for its price.

DMR programming can be challenging, but with the right resources, it’s manageable. The robust feature set and accessory bundles make this radio a top pick for those willing to invest time in mastering digital modes.

Reasons to get the AT-D878UVII Plus:

  • DMR
  • Color screen
  • Large on-board memory capacity (500,000 DMR Contacts)
  • Great Bluetooth support
  • GPS & APRS support
  • Comprehensive accessory bundles available
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  • Radioddity GD-88: A capable alternative with a larger screen and similar features for under $290.

  • Radioddity GD-73: A minimalist option for home hotspot users, priced around $80.

1. Kenwood TH-D75A
Top of the Line

Estimated Price: ≈ $750

The Kenwood TH-D75A is the ultimate handheld radio for those seeking premium functionality and versatility. With native support for FM, D-STAR, and APRS, as well as onboard GPS, this radio offers unparalleled performance.

Upgraded with USB-C charging and connectivity, the TH-D75A is designed for convenience and modern compatibility. Its high price reflects its top-tier features, making it the ideal choice for serious operators who demand the best.

Reasons to get the TH-D75A:

  • Comprehensive feature set (FM, D-STAR, APRS)
  • USB-C charging and connectivity
  • Onboard GPS
  • Exceptional build quality
  • Ideal for advanced users
Check Price

Honorable Mentions:

  • ICOM ID-52A Plus: Offers D-STAR with Bluetooth and a color screen for under $700.

  • ICOM ID-50A: A budget-friendly entry-level D-STAR option priced around $400.

Which Digital Should I Choose?

Ultimately, the choice in Digital boils down to availability.

According to a November 2022 check of RepeaterBook.com in North America there are more than 2,100 DMR repeaters, about 1,200 D-STAR options and around 2,300 Fusion repeaters.

That said, we recommend checking 2 things before going all in on a digital format. First, what’s in your neighborhood. The easiest digital format to get started on is what’s on the repeater up the street, you can usually find a local club to help with questions when you get started. So check repeaters in your area and find out if DMR, D-Star, or Fusion is more popular if you want to go digital.

Second, if you plan to work with a group, know their preferred digital format. For instance, Georgia ARES is focused on a statewide D-STAR network, and that is not cross compatible with Fusion or DMR. The point here is there is no standard for what different formats local clubs and groups like ARES around the country use. Talk with them locally before you invest a lot of money into a radio if your plan is to join up and support them.

Conclusion

Whichever handheld radio you choose, it’s important to match your choice with your needs and operating style. Whether you’re a beginner seeking an affordable entry point or an experienced ham looking for advanced digital features, there’s a perfect option for you on this list.

  • For beginners: Baofeng BF-F8HP Pro

  • For rugged reliability: Yaesu FT-65R

  • For digital experimentation: Anytone AT-D878UVII Plus

  • For advanced features: Kenwood TH-D75A

If you’re just starting your ham radio journey, check out our Ham Radio Basics Course at HamRadioPrep.com to get started.

If you like the idea of having a handheld ham radio, but haven’t gotten your license yet you can get started with our 10 lesson Technician course that has videos, quizzes and games to teach you everything you need to pass the FCC exam on the first try.

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]]> Why you should consider a Baofeng Handheld for Ham Radio https://hamradioprep.com/baofeng-vhf-and-uhf-handheld-radio/ Wed, 18 Dec 2019 20:51:41 +0000 https://hamradioprep.com/?page_id=1640 In this article: Baofengs and other import radios work well for amateur communications https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-A3TqGZ5gk You’re studying for your Technician class FCC license with Ham Radio Prep’s online system or you just recently got licensed and now you want to get ready to be on the air! What’s the cheapest and fastest way of getting on […]

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In this article:

Baofengs and other import radios work well for amateur communications

You’re studying for your Technician class FCC license with Ham Radio Prep’s online system or you just recently got licensed and now you want to get ready to be on the air! What’s the cheapest and fastest way of getting on the ham bands? You’re scanning the ads from amateur radio dealers and finding that basic VHF and UHF amateur handheld and mobile radios cost anywhere from $100 to as much as hundreds of dollars. Is there a way to get on the ham hands on a budget?

Today’s international marketplace allows you to not only get on the air for cheap, but the offerings available can prove mind boggling. What’s the best equipment for beginning ham operators? If you poke around on sites such as Amazon, AliExpress and Wish, you’ll find so many types of radios that would work for new Tech licensees.

Chinese and import radios offer an advantage for new hams: Price!

The primary manufacturers of ham radio transceivers have been around a long time: Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood and Alinco. But the global marketplace also now has players such as Baofeng, Wouxun, Anytone, Retevis and many more names. While their international market includes two-way radio users all over the world, these world manufacturers and marketers also know that their products have found their way into the hearts of hams not only in the United States, but many other areas of the world, too. 

While you can pay $100 to $200 for a ham handheld radio made by the ham radio big four, you also can get on the air very easily and cheaply with a basic import handheld radio for as low as $12! Did we say $12? YES!

Use a computer to program your radio

The Baofeng BF-888S, which is similar to the Retevis H777, sells for anywhere from $10 to as much as $25 (Google is your friend!) and offers 16 channels on UHF, which for hams would be the 440-450 MHz band where most repeater and simplex communications occur in the overall 420-450 MHz USA ham band. You’ll need a programming cable (sells for $5 to $15) and a computer with the radio’s free software available for download online to program the transceiver. 

A step up above the single-band UHF handheld is a dual-band radio such as the Baofeng UV-5R handheld (and its many derivatives), the most popular of all Chinese and import radios. This radio sells online for anywhere from $20 to $35 and offers full coverage of the ham 2-meter and 440-MHz bands. The caveat is that these radios also will program on commercial and public safety frequencies, if you have such a need for dual duty. 

While radios such as UV-5R or sister UV-82 can be programmed by hand instead of using a computer, you will find it much easier to use the programming cable with a computer to get many frequencies programmed for local service. You’ll want to program all your local VHF and UHF repeaters, as well as simplex frequencies such as 146.520 and 446.000 MHz.

Are Baofeng radios OK for ham use?

Ask a ham if a Baofeng radio is OK for use on ham radio and you will hear two responses:

1) No, because they are cheap junk, and
2) Sure, I have one myself. 

You’ll see that hams are either for or against import radios, depending on their opinion of them. Don’t let that sway you. Go with your budget. If you can afford one of the big-four ham rigs, go for it. If you want to save some money, go with an import radio and see how it works for you. You can always upgrade later to ham gear or even commercial two-way equipment (which is legal on ham bands). There’s nothing wrong with spending $25 to get your feet wet. You’d be surprised to find many hams own an import radio either for their primary radio, a backup radio or even for their bugout kit for emergency response.

Watch the power output claims on import radios

“Your mileage may vary” and the power output of import handhelds also may vary. The Baofeng BF-888S handheld might be advertised as having 5 watts of power, but you’ll more likely see a power output of anywhere from 1.5 to 3 watts. The UV-5R typically is advertised as 5 watts output, but you may find it to be more like 4 watts. Beware of versions that claim power output of 10-15 watts because you’ll more likely see just 8 watts. Again, Google is your friend when you are researching models to purchase.

Ham radio doesn’t have to be an expensive investment for new FCC Technician class licensees! Spend just a little and get on the air quickly. If it works for you, get a mobile antenna or a better handheld antenna, a spare battery, a 12-volt vehicle adapter or a handheld microphone — all total for less than the cost of an actual ham handheld if you were to purchase all those accessories.

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